Franco was restless again. Kuya Aldo kept on holding his brother's shoulders, reminding him from time to time that he must calm down. The entourage has started and they are already at the end of the aisle, waiting for the Church doors to open.
The Faulkerson family was there, too. With Mr. and Mrs. Faulkerson as principal sponsors, along with Franco's teacher. Doc Cee and Thirdy were also part of the entourage.
The first few notes of the wedding song she chose began, and as the doors opened, the floodgates of his eyes did so too. He was a crying mess in no time.
When the music ends
When the lights go dim
When there's no one else around
I will still be here
When the colors fade
When the darkness breaks the light
When hope is out of sight
Love will be our guide
Cause love is strong and is never wrong
Love will be our song
I'll make this clear
I will always be here
I love you I do I do
So smile you have me for life
I love you I do I doI do
Love will be our song
Let this love be known
Love is God's finest work of art
Love will shine in the dark
If it feels colder
We can start all over and over and over again
I'll make this clear
I will always be here
I love you I do I do
So smile you have me for life
I love you I do I do
I do
If you feel lost
Let me remind you that my love shines and I will always find you
Have no fear love is here
Love is true love is me love is you
I'll make this clear
I will always be here
I love you I do I do
So smile you have me for life
I love you I do I do
I do
She was a sight to behold. The woman who accepts him for who he is, the woman who loves him for who he is, and the woman who believes in everything that he could be, is walking down the aisle, with tear-stained cheeks, ready to marry him in all his glorious mess.
---------------------------------
It was Mayang who first said her vows.
"Noong una kitang nakita, naisip ko, 'Ang cute naman ng baby boy na 'to. Minsan ka na lang makakita ng gwapo, 'di pa pwede.'" It was a little expected for Mayang to joke around. People inside the church couldn't help but laugh.
"Noong naging magkaibigan tayo at mas nakilala pa kita, hindi ko alam kung paanong nahulog ang loob ko sa'yo.
"Noon pa lang, pinangako ko na sa sarili ko na aalagaan kita. Kahit siguro hindi tayo nauwi sa ganito, kahit siguro naging magkaibigan lang tayo, aalagaan pa rin kita.
"Naalala ko nung nagtapat ka sa'kin na mahal mo ko, tapos sinabi ko na mahal din kita, tinanong mo 'ko kung mag-asawa na ba tayo. Hahahaha. Kasi 'di ba ang alam mo, kapag mag-asawa, mahal Ang isa't-isa. Mahal ko, paglabas natin dito mamaya, mag-asawa na tayo!
"At ngayon, ipinapangako ko sa'yo na hindi ka na magiging mag-isa, kahit kailan. Hindi mo kailangang matakot na wala ka nang makita na magmamahal sa'yo ng kagaya ng pagmamahal ko. Dahil pangako, hindi mo kailangan maghanap. Hindi ako mawawala. Nandito lang ako. Dito sa tabi mo." Mayang's tears were unstoppable. So were Franco's. So were everyone else's.
"Ikaw ang magiging tahanan ko. Pangakong ikaw ang baby boy ko forever. Pangakong magiging mabuti akong ina sa magiging mga anak natin, kung sakaling pagpalain tayo ng Diyos. Habang buhay kitang mamahalin, Franco. Habang buhay."
Franco had to steady his breathing before he started to say his own vows. It was amazing how almost coherent their vows were, as if they wrote it together.
"Mayang, mahal ko, sa harap ng Diyos at lahat ng mga taong nagmamahal sa'tin, ipinapangako ko na mas mamahalin kita sa araw-araw.
"I promise to work hard para mapasaya kita. Ako ang maglalagay ng ngiti sa mga mata at mga labi mo, ako mag magpapatawa sa'yo. Magsisikap ako na ang bawat araw ay haharapin mo ng may kasama. Promise, hindi ka mag-iisa.
"Excited na ako na bumuo ng pamilya kasama ka. Pipilitin kong maging karapat-dapat sa pag-ibig mo. Utal utal pa ako, madalas pa akong mag tantrums, sobrang isip bata ko pa, minahal mo na 'ko.
"Mayang, pangako na hanggang pumuti ang buhok natin, magkanda ubos ang ngipin natin, kumulubot man ang balat natin, ikaw pa rin ang pinakapinakapinaka magandang babae at ako pa rin ang pinakapinakapinaka maswerteng tao sa mundo dahil minahal at pinili at ipinaglaban mo ako.
"Kaya mahal ko, habang buhay din kitang mamahalin, pipiliin, at ipaglalaban. Habang buhay, Mayang. Habang buhay. Hindi na 'ko makapaghintay na tawaging kang Asawa ko. I love you."
After exchanging their vows and I Do's in front of God and all the people they love, they shared the kiss that sealed their lifelong partnership as husband and wife.
It was the one when they said I do and it was the most special.
-------------------------------------
YOU ARE READING
ichi-go ichi-e
FanfictionOne time, one meeting Can one meeting of two people with colorful pasts translate into a once in a lifetime love story? Franco, diagnosed with autism, meets Mayang, a former cutpurse. They will form a friendship that may lead to something more... Di...
